On Tuesday, local authorities and residents reported that a convoy in central Somalia was ambushed by militiamen, leading to at least five fatalities and the confiscation of heavy weapons.
This attack took place seven months after the lifting of a long-standing arms embargo.
The incident took place on Monday when a convoy accompanied by a security escort was attacked near the town of Abudwaq by militiamen from a local clan, who overpowered the security forces, as reported by four residents to Reuters.
They stated that the firearms, including machine guns, anti-aircraft weaponry, and rocket-propelled grenades, were obtained from adjacent Ethiopia.
“It is regrettable that five individuals lost their lives from both sides yesterday due to the conflict over weapons,” stated Ahmed Shire, a security adviser to the president of Galmudug State, where Abudwaq is situated.
“We are aware that the weapons ended up in the hands of civilians.”
Analyst Rashid Abdi from the Sahan Research think tank characterised the event as “the most serious instance of arms proliferation in central Somalia,” adding that some of the seized weapons are likely to be purchased by al Shabaab, an al Qaeda affiliate.
In a post on X, Abdi stated that it was a “clear example of why the lifting of the arms embargo on Somalia was a significant strategic mistake.”
The U.N. Security Council fully lifted the last restrictions of an arms embargo that had been in effect, in various forms, for over 30 years in December.
The Somali government indicated that this move would enhance its ability to tackle security threats and bolster its national forces.
For nearly two decades, the country has been battling an insurgency led by al Shabaab.
With African Union peacekeepers scaling back their presence and shifting more responsibility to Somali forces, both the AU and the Mogadishu government have expressed concerns about a potential security vacuum if the withdrawal is expedited.
In central Somalia, clan-based militias have partnered with government forces in their military campaign against al Shabaab.
However, these militias have also clashed with each other over disputes related to land and resources, contributing to further instability in the region.
Such internal conflicts not only weaken efforts against insurgents but also disrupt humanitarian and development projects in the affected communities.
YOU MAY ALSO READ: Militia group attacks army camp in Western DR Congo, kills nine soldiers amid ongoing land disputes